Grand Oaks, The Woodlands, College Park, and More Set To Battle It Out In The Final Stretch of District 13 Varsity Basketball

THE WOODLANDS – Since the middle of November, 6A District 13 boys varsity basketball has been in full effect. All 9 teams in the district have been in heavy competition with one another, and 5 of them currently have win percentages above .500. Just like in our football season, the top 4 teams will make the playoffs, meaning this final stretch of district games will be massive for every team in contention. Currently, the Grand Oaks Grizzlies stand atop the district, boasting an 11-1 district record, with The Woodlands not far behind at 9-2. College Park comes in third with an 8-4 record, while Oak Ridge is just behind at 7-5. With only 5 games left, it will be a close race for the district championship and a competitive stretch for those teams fighting for playoff tournament spots. Let’s check in on some of the teams around the district to see how they’re doing. The highlighted games on the remaining opponents are meaningful/impactful games for those teams.

Grand Oaks Grizzlies

District Record: 11-1

Overall Record: 22-8

Remaining Opponents:

2/4: Conroe

2/6: Oak Ridge

2/14: Willis

2/18: Caney Creek

Currently leading the district championship race is the Grand Oaks Grizzlies. A team that is familiar with being at the top, having won two district championships since the district formed in 2020, winning last year's title, and the 22-23 season title. They haven’t missed the playoffs since the 20-21 season, finishing no lower than third in the district, making them the team beat. This year, the Grizzlies have been their usual selves, currently atop the district with only 1 district loss. That loss came to the College Park Cavaliers on December 16th, and since then, they haven’t lost, sporting a 10-game win streak heading into their final 4 games. The only team in contention with them right now is The Woodlands Highlanders, who have only 2 district losses; however, Grand Oaks has won both games against the Highlanders, so the Grizzlies own the tiebreaker if it comes down to it. They will be the favorites to win the district once again and will look to attempt a deep playoff run.

The Woodlands Highlanders

District Record: 9-2

Overall Record: 19-7

Remaining Opponents:

2/4: Cleveland

2/6: College Park

2/11: New Caney

2/14: Conroe

2/18: Oak Ridge

After a rough season last year that saw them miss the playoffs, The Woodlands Highlanders are back in the race and hungry for a playoff appearance. They currently sit 2nd in the district with only 2 losses, heading into the final stretch of games. Both losses came against Grand Oaks, meaning the Highlanders haven’t lost to anyone else in the district so far. This marks one of the better records we’ve seen from the Highlanders since this district was formed, putting them in a prime spot for a playoff run. They will need a little help from other teams if they want a shot at the district title, but if they earn it, it will be their first since the 2012-2013 season. Their schedule isn’t easy to end the season, but some solid wins during this stretch could bode well for their playoff chances.

College Park Cavaliers

District Record: 8-4

Overall Record: 20-11

Remaining Opponents:

2/4: Caney Creek

2/6: The Woodlands

2/11: Cleveland

2/18: New Caney

The Cavaliers have been a mainstay in this district since its founding, winning 3 district titles in 6 seasons. With plenty of history under their belt, it's no surprise to find them near the top of the district once again, despite changes to the program since last year. The Cavaliers' longtime head coach, Clifton McNeely, retired in March of last year, handing the reins to Kenneth Stephens, who, in his 1st season, has picked up right where Coach McNeely left off. While 4 district losses aren’t something College Park is used to, they still place the Cavaliers in the playoff picture, with plenty of chances to strengthen that record. A game against their rivals, The Woodlands Highlanders, is coming up soon and could be a major factor in district seeding, depending on the outcome. If they can maintain a steady pace for the rest of the season, a return to the playoffs is likely for this program.

Oak Ridge War Eagles

District Record: 7-5

Overall Record: 13-16

Remaining Opponents:

2/6: Grand Oaks

2/11: Willis

2/14: Caney Creek

2/18: The Woodlands

The Oak Ridge War Eagles currently occupy the 4th and final playoff spot, a place many wouldn’t expect them to be. Although they have a below-.500 record, the War Eagles have stepped up in district play, scoring key wins that put them in a position to make the playoffs. They aren’t a historically dominant team, finishing well toward the bottom in recent years, but a turnaround like this might be exactly what they need for continued success. They have one of the toughest schedules to end the year, however, meaning they will really have to leave it all on the court if they want to keep their playoff spot. Still, it’s impressive for them to be in this position, and it could get interesting if they were able to nab a playoff spot, as they haven’t made the dance since 2014.

Conroe Tigers

District Record: 6-5

Overall Record: 16-9

Remaining Opponents:

2/4: Grand Oaks

2/7: Willis

2/11: Caney Creek

2/14: The Woodlands

2/18: Cleveland

Just outside a playoff spot is the Conroe Tigers, a team that has had a rough start to the new year. They have gone 4-4 in district play since 2026 began, falling short of how they finished last year. Still, they have some solid wins this season and aren’t out of the picture just yet. They did well to start the season, and if this team can pull it together down the stretch, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them in the playoffs. They do have a tough end to the season, facing some of the best teams in the district to round out their season. If they can take a game off one of these top teams, it could be huge for their playoff efforts.

Willis Wildkats

District Record: 6-6

Overall Record: 16-11

Remaining Opponents:

2/4: New Caney

2/7: Conroe

2/11: Oak Ridge

2/14: Grand Oaks

Even in the 6th spot in the district, the Willis Wildkats still have a shot at a playoff spot in these final games. They are usually a strong contender for some of the top spots in the district, but losing key players has left them at an even .500 record in district play. They will face solid opponents in the coming games, but it could be tough for the Wildkats to sneak into the playoffs. It will come down to whoever can get more wins between them, Conroe, and Oak Ridge to finish out the season, with Willis having a shot at both teams in these final 4 games.

Bottom 3

Towards the bottom, we have New Caney, Caney Creek, and Cleveland, all schools that have no more than 2 wins so far in district play and are all but out of contention. While unfortunate, it does mean these last few games will be their final games of the season, and they will gear up in the offseason to try again next year.

Final Thoughts:

As we enter this final stretch of games, many of the playoff spots are still up in the air, with several teams in the mix. Grand Oaks looks like the favorite to win the district title this season and could be a force in the playoffs. The Woodlands is looking for one of their best finishes in a while, and College Park is trying to make it back to the playoffs with a new coach. That 4th spot will be a battle among Oak Ridge, Conroe, and Willis, all of whom have similar records heading into these final few games. It will be entertaining to see who comes out on top and how the playoff tournament will shake out for the teams that make it.